The Docker Podcast

Dan and Zack spoke with Sam Wallman a comics-journalist, cartoonist and labour activist and dock worker with the Maritime Union of Australia. The guys discuss Sam's background, his book Our Members Be Unlimited: A Comic about Workers and their Unions, and the role art can play in our union campaigns. 

In June of 2017 Dan and Mike had an opportunity to speak with Mick Doleman of the MUA while attending a ITF meeting in Cape Town South Africa. It was a rare occasion in which Mick shared his story of the sinking of the Blythe Star and the incredible story of survival that occurred in October of 1973. Since the time of the recording a shipwreck that had been located was formerly identified as the wreckage of the Blythe Star. On October 19 a memorial plaque to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Blythe star and the discovery of the vessel will be unveiled at Hobart Wharf in Tasmania.

Zack Pattin (ILWU Local 23) and Myka Dubay (ILWU Local 5 and ILWU International Executive Board) discuss their workshop from this year's YWC Conference, “Weapons of the Boss: Racism and Anti-Trans Discrimination.” Zack walks us through the origins and context of the ILWU's Ten Guiding Principles and Myka lays out the stakes of the current anti-trans backlash — and what it means for workers and our unions.

Some of the best conversations we can have are when we are invited in to the home of other working people to share stories. My self and ILWU Canada President Emeritus Tom Dufresne got to sit and chat with now retired General Secretary of the Grain Services Union in Saskatchewan Hugh Wagner. Its was an honour to talk with Hugh about his 48 years in the trade union movement, his politics and the role it played in is work, some history of the labour movement in Saskatchewan and hear some advice from Tom from one pensioner to another.

Dan is joined by documentary film maker Mark Street, and Maureen Gutierrez, an ILWU worker who appears on marks new project Work songs. Work Songs is a kaleidoscopic portrait of the United States at work. Through interviews and observational footage Work Songs explores how various workers find meaning in their jobs. OUT MAY 1! Celebrate May Day by watching Work Songs by Mark Street. Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/watchworksongs

Dan and returning guest host Skiff are joined by Patrick Machel and Rob Salgado from ILWU Local 6. We talk about organizing Anchor Steam Brewing as well as some of ILWU Local 6 new and ongoing campaigns. This one is fun.

ILWU International Secretary Treasurer Ed Ferris returns to the show. Dan and Ed talk about climate change, the upcoming U.S. elections, and ILWU Young Workers.

ILWU International President Willie Adams returns to the show to talk about COVID-19, and how the ILWU is adapting. We also get a few general updates on some ILWU issues and discuss political action and the importance of the upcoming U.S. elections. Brother Willie shares some thoughts he has for the rank and file in this strange time.

Dan is joined by ITF Maritime Coordinator Jacqueline Smith to discuss the affect COVID-19 is having on the maritime industry around the world.

Dan talks with Christy Slusarenko, Vice President of MoveUp. Christy talks about how she got involved in the union movement, and how the current COVID-19 situation is affecting the workers she represents.

Dan is joined by Stephen von Sychowski, President of the  Vancouver and District Labour Council. Dan and Stephen talk about the VDLC, its function, affiliates, and the work they are doing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dan is joined by Joe DeManuelle-Hall from Labor Notes. They discuss the organizing tools and education Labor Notes provides as well as what it's like to be a New Yorker during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neal Adolph from the United Way of the Lower Mainland joins Dan to talk about the United Way, building community power and discussing what the new reality might be after COVID-19.

ILWU Canada Organizer Genevieve Lorenzo talks with us about organizing in the strange times we are currently in.

Zack Pattin co-hosts this conversation with historians Peter Cole, author of Dockworkers Power: Race and Activism in Durban and the San Francisco Bay Area, and Aaron Goings, co-editor of The Red Coast: Radicalism and Anti-Radicalism in Southwest Washington. We go deep into the histories of the Wobblies and the ILWU, race and technology on the waterfront, the struggle for a free South Africa, and much, much more.

David Grey-Donald, Publisher of Briarpatch Magazine has a quick chat with Dan about media and labour live from the RWDSU convention.

Jorgen Gullestrup from Mates in Construction joins Dan and past guest  Jessica. Mates in Construction is a charity established in 2008 to reduce the high level of suicide among Australian construction workers. We talk about the work they do and the importance of recognizing mental health issues in the work place.

Jen Savage, President of the Vancouver Local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers returns to the show. We talk about how the labour dispute two years ago lead to the current situation, public perception, the Liberal government attack on bargaining rights and more.

Paul Finch BCGEU Secretary Treasure and Brian Skiffington from ILWU Local 23 Young Workers Committee discuss their respective campaigns  on housing affordability and tenants rights.

This November marks the 100 year anniversary of the Inland Boatmen's Union. At the last ILWU International convention, Steph had a chance to talk to returning guest Stefan Mueller-Domobis of the IBU Southern California and retired IBU Portland member Joe Maresh about this milestone. 

Dan has a very quick talk with Christine Bro, Lead Organizer for SEIU Local 2. These workers have been laid off due to contract flipping and have been blackballed by the new contractor for belonging to a union.

After being welcomed by the Squamish first nation with songs, history and storytelling,  we listen to Thomas Mayor, Branch Secretary of the Northern Territory branch of the Maritime Union of Australia, and advocate for the sacred Uluru Statement From the Heart. Thomas tells us about the struggles of Aboriginal and Torres Straight people in Australia as well as the work that went into creating the Uluru Statement, and his 12 month campaign to gain Voice, Treaty, Truth.   See www.1voiceuluru.org for more info   #uluru #ulurustatment #mua #ilwucanada #squamish #firstnations #aboriginal #torresstraitislanders

Dan is joined by a group of young dockers from all over Europe at the 2ndETF Young Dockers Meeting. They stood around a small table outside and shared some stories and ideas over a few beers.

We sit down for a good old fashion bullshit session with ILWU 23 Young worker Zack Pattin. Dan is his usual charming self and Steph didn't  realize that we were recording. We weren't going to publish this one but, hey, why not?

Returning for the third (or is it the fourth?) time on the show we have a legend! Stevie Todd is back and this time, on the eve of his retirement, he gives us a bit of insight in to his lengthy career in the RMT. One thing is for sure, we don't think this is the last we'll hear from this bulldog!

As the convention progresses more first timers come join Dan and Steph, Sean Farley from local 34 has a sit down to discuss his career with the ILWU and his work on the Jim Herman Cruise Ship terminal in San Francisco

ILWU Aux. 8 President Ida Taylor joins Steph and Dan to talk about the roll of the Auxiliary both traditionally and today.  

Another new voice to the Podcast, Ed Ferris joins Dan and Steph. Ed has long been involved in the ILWU, previously being President of local 10 among other positions and its about time we finally get to pick his brain about his vision for the future.

From the Maritime Union of Australia Will Tracy, and Paul Garret return to the show to update us on the what's going on with the “New Union” and the continued battles with government and employers.

And here we have it folks, after a 1229 day (3+ year) chase across the planet, we have finally managed to get a visit from “Big” Bob McEllrath. Dan and Steph talk with Bob about changes he has seen in the industry and the union and some of his biggest accomplishments as President of the ILWU.

We have another familiar voice returning to the show: ILWU International Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams joins Steph and Dan. This time, Willie talks about his career and growth within the union.

Darren Williams from ILWU local 7 joins Steph and Dan to talk about working in a small port like Bellingham Washington.

We're kicking off our convention series with a familiar voice. Returning to the show is Maritime Union of Australia Queensland Branch Deputy Secretary Jason Miners. He sits down with Dan and Steph to discuss the current struggles of the MUA.

Shortly after a rally in the Port of Vancouver, in support of SCFP (CUPE) 5317, Dan and ILWU President Rob Ashton talk with Eric Sinclair of CUPE 5317 and Alain Desrochers of CUPE 375. The discussion and rally, attended by Multiple ILWU from Canada and the states, CUPE, and included solidarity messages from the MUA in Australia, were centred around Viterra, a grain company that has locked out 51 workers in the port of Montreal, and their disregard for the rights of working people.

Zack Pattin fills in for Dan, when he and Steph talk with Mark Medina, an organizer for the IWW in Portland. Three of then discuss the recent success of the Burgerville Workers Union and their efforts to organize multiple Burgerville locations in Portland.

Mitch Bowman comes to talk with us about the "Wobblies" in Vancouver.

Recorded live in Chicago by The Docker and The Deckhands we talk with organizers Gene Bruskin, and Peter Olney (retired ILWU organizer). Then Peter Heart form the IBU and Ari, talk with Peter Kennedy (retired Unifor), Fred Wilson (retired Unifor), and Peter Knowtten (UE) about the North America Solidarity Project.

Recorded live in Chicago by The Docker and The Deckhands, First, we talk to Emily McArthur from Socialist Alternative about the Kshama Solidarity Campaign and her podcast “Socialism Today”, then we speak with Linda Gomoa, from the International League for Brand Responsibility, lastly we talk with Chris Baehrend from ACTS is Chicago.

Recorded live in Chicago by The Docker and The Deckhands, A mash-up of ILWU and IBU rank and filers conversations both before and after some of the workshops at the Labor Notes Conference. Dan (The Docker/ ILWU 502), Ryan Brazeau and Ari Landrum (IBU, The Deckhands), Ali Vekich (ILWU 19), Terence Candell, Alea Pritzos, Brian Helme (IBU), Anita Burns (Puget Sound WSF), Myka Dubay (ILWU local 5).

Dan tries to get the facts while on thee picket line with other young workers from the ITF Youth commitee. Bosses at DHL Express Turkey refuse to recognise their workers' legally recognised union. Even after German owners stated they would reconize unions in all contries it they operate in.  After 8 months, striking union workers in Istanbul are still waiting for German company to keep its word.

Brother Al Bieksa (Yeah, Kevins dad, cool right?) from the United Steel Workers 2009 and the BCFED OH&S Center, sits with Dan to talk about his background as a steelworker, the Day Of Mourning, The Westray Act, behaviour based safety, among other things.

ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton had an opportunity to speak in front of the Senate Committee on Transport and communication in regards to bill c-49. Speaking against the port of Vancouver having an ability to borrow money from the infrastructure bank to build an automated terminal. #noT2 #ilwucanada#workingclass #itfdockers

ITF inspectors Vince Giannopoulos and Karl Risser join Dan over the phone to talk about the past year. We talk about everything from the Lashing campaign in Montreal, to gong up gangways in Halifax, to hockey.

Dan Kask (ILWU 502 NW), Brian Skiffington (ILWU 23 Tacoma), Ashley Bordignon (ILWU 502 NW), Jose Jorge Garcia Faerna (FSC-CCOO Spain), Manual Laris Ros (FSC-CCOO Spain), Josefina Castille (FSTPS Nicaragua), John Edward Espinosa (SNTT Colombia), Missanka Mendis (NUSS Srilanka) and Ryan McGibbon-Thompson (MUA Syndey), recap the ITF Young Dockers meeting in London.

Dan is joined by Joulene Parent and sits with retired ILWU Pensioners   Sam George, Ron (Red) Baker, John (Corky) Cordocedo, Ken S. E. Baker.  We begin to explore the history of First Nations people on Vancouver's waterfront including the  “Bows & Arrows” and what solidarity means to these retired brothers.   “ Knowledge and understanding of our Union's history are invaluable tools for charting our course into the future. We shall educate our membership, particularly the young as to the origins of the Union, the privations and hardships endured by our forefathers and foremothers, the basic principles they strived for.” -Declaration of Principles. 

The new ILWU Canada Young workers Committee sit down with members of the out going committee to discuss the conference they attended and the their hopes for the youth movement in the future.

Rico Tortolano from the ITF Dockers Section gives Dan a lesson on the trade union movement in Latin America.

Dan, Steph, Brian, and Zack talk with ILWU International Secretary Treasurer Willy Adams and talk about everything from young workers to what grandma said.

Dan gets Matt Goodwin on the phone from the ITF Asia-Pacific Campaign Centre in Sydney Australia. They Talk about a couple of the ITF's major campaigns dealing with Hutchison and ICTSI. 

Dan, Mike S, and Jason Woods, talk with CUPE 1816 rank and file and leadership about their current dispute with Pacific Blue Cross, live form the picket line.

We could recored 100 episodes talking with the MUA's Mick Doleman with all his stories and accomplishments as a activist and trade union leader and all 100 would be great. This time we got something different. Brother Doleman took the time to tell us a story that very few had ever heard up until a year ago. Listen as Mick tells us the emotional story of the sinking of the Blythe Star, a story of survival and loss, that lead to industry change that would to save sailors's lives.